Sunday, July 17, 2011

Safe and Sound

Have I mentioned I love Nicholas Sparks? And I dedicated a portion of my money to buy everything he wrote? Well, I haven't actually got them all but I did buy the newest one about a month ago, Safe Haven. For him, I don't even read the review. I just go on and purchase it (but the paperback version of course, I won't be able to buy lunch for days if I buy the hardcover version)

I have a really bad habit of putting down what I was reading to move on to the newer book I bought. I guess Safe Haven deserve it. It's really my kind of story.

We are introduced to Katie, a waitress in Southport, North Carolina. She is new to the place and struggling to make ends meet. She finally got around to settle in a cottage, far from where she works. There she met her neighbor Jo, who became her friend since. She also met a man, Alex, former army, widowed with two children. Katie dropped by Alex's store to pick up daily goods and from then they became good friends, later, lovers.

Nobody really knows about Katie's past and how she turned up in Southport. With a little help from Jo and Alex, she reveals her secret. A secret she will have to confront in the end.

Well, the story about a mysterious woman in a small town got me hooked. At the time I started, I was seriously thinking about how nice it would be to have a story like that and Safe Haven indulged my imagination. I love the connection and how both Alex and Katie helped each other out. Alex lost his wife, Katie lost her partner. It's lovely to see how both strengthen each other, filling the missing element. I've always loved the idea of a person helping another person and gains insight in the end. Helping people to help yourself. It might sound one is taking advantage of the other but it isn't always like that. For each person you helped or inspired, it's good for you too.

The best part was at the end of the story, there is a twist which will make you go 'awwwww'

Safe Haven deals with loss and finding hope in others. A lesson in trusting other people again when the previous one failed. A lesson to deal with problems, not letting it go unfinished and pretend it's in another life. That getting a fresh start might be a good thing, but never forget your past.

Safe HavenNicholas Sparks

always,Hana

NB: I'm currently reading When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman. It's doing great :D

A message. Both book and motion picture are trying to deliver a message. Each person might receive their own version of the message, even a wrong one. Who decides? Authors and filmmakers can do only so much. I take my own interpretations. Perception is a beautiful thing. I decide my own version.